The soothing sounds of Indian ragas filled the air last Sunday when sitar player Alif Laila, joined by Monir Hossain on tabla, graced the stage at the newly opened Glen Echo Park venue of the Washington Conservatory of Music. After days of gray skies, snow, and frigid temperatures, the bright and colorful melodies beaming from Alif’s sitar seemed to work in unison with the sun as it broke out from behind the clouds and filled the day with light and warmth.

The acoustics and aesthetics of the room, combined with the joyous energy felt by the audience, came together with Alif’s music for a very special presentation. Alif began with Raag Kafi, whose romantic spark immediately captured the audience. By the end of this first piece everyone was drawn into Alif’s world, forgetting the world going by outside. Now in this place of serenity, Alif presented Raag Desh. Building slowly but earnestly, Desh developed into an intense display of emotion – Alif and Monir seemed to be reading each other’s minds as they wove raag and taal together in a beautiful mix. After an earth-shattering climax, the audience’s applause would not let Alif leave the stage. With extra time granted, she displayed a heart-felt and devotional Raag Bhairav. I myself was too mesmerized to recall what ensued until the end of the piece.

The packed venue wanted more from Alif but that would have to wait until next time. Many stayed to talk with Alif after the performance wanting to know more about the instruments and form of Indian music – knowledge that Alif loves to share – and will so more with the Washington Conservatory of Music as she begins to teach at the Glen Echo location. This is a great opportunity for all in the Washington, D.C. area to be enlightened by Indian music through the work of Alif Laila.

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Biography

Hello and welcome!

I was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. My connection with the arts was very deep since childhood. After my initial training in vocal music, I was inspired to learn the sitar by my mother, Shehida, who opened the doors and guided me into the spiritual depth of the intricacies of all forms of arts in life.

My first guru was Ustad Mir Qasem Khan, nephew of the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan. Later in life I learned from Partha Chatterjee and Krishna Bhatt. At present I am taking guidance from Kushal Das. I graduated from the College of Fine Art in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and received several awards for my paintings. The world of rhythm and tone in drawing and painting gradually merged with my music and my love story with the arts began.

I have performed extensively in Bangladesh, India, and the USA. I have released six CDs and two DVDs. 'Sangam', one of my CDs, was recorded in a unique analogue system of sound engineering by Mapleshade Records. My DVD ‘Hrydayaragam’ was recorded in Kerala, India and was presented as part of the Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Another DVD, ‘The Strings Of Resonance’ connects the Indian Classical music to the heritage of the land. I am happy to present my latest work,'The Romance Of Raags And Songs In Bengal’ as a tribute to Bengali songs by two great poet/composers of Bengal, Tagore and Nazrul.

I am always sincerely trying to express and present my music as the complete ‘art’ of my life.

With devotion and dedication I embrace the sitar as the instrument of my soul.